Swimming apparatus.



I. SCOTT,

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIDN FILED APR. 1, 1912.

Patente Juiy 9, 1912.

2 SEEET3SHEET 1.

PATENT @idhltlhh IRA SCOTT, 0F FORT COLLINS, COLORADO.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

0 all whom-2'15 may concern Be it known that 1, ins SCOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort- Collins in the county of Larimer and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Swimming Apparatus; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in swimming apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide a swimming apparatus having an improved construction and arrangement of floats whereby the swimmer is supported in a comfortable position.

Another object is'to provide an improved propelling mechanismoperated by the feet of the swin'imer to rapidly propel the apparatus with comparatively little eitort and which is provided with an improved means for steering ti. same in the desired direction.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and. claimed.

in the accompanying drawings; Figure l is a side view of my improved swimming apparatus; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a rear end view; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view on the line l-% of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a similar view on the line 5--5 of Fig. .2; Fig. (3 is a vertical cross sectional view on the line ti -tj of Fig. l.

My improved swimming apparatus com-- prises a front body supporting tioat. l, which may be of any suitable UUllSlll'lltfitlUli, but which is here shown and preferably consists of a hol low body substantially semielliptical form in cross section and of sutlicient length to receive the trunk or body of the swimmer. The upper side of the float 1 is depressed to form a cradle-like receptacle 2 into which the swimmer lies, preferably in a face down position. The float 1 has its rear end secured to abifurcated frame attaching member 3 to which is bolted or otherwise firmly secured the forward end of a gear and propeller supporting member i n which midway of is ends is arranged an open frame 5. On the rear end of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 1,

Patented Julyi' i912.

1912. Serial No. 687,721.

frame 5 is arranged a tubular sha t't hearing or supporting section 6.

Bevolubly mounted in the frame a crank shaft (3 the ends of which project beyond the opposite sides of the frame and have arranged thereon cranks 7 with which are pivotally connected pedals 8. On the crank shaft 6 is fixedly mounted a beveled propeller operating gear 9 with which is engaged a beveledgear pinion 10 fixed on the forward end of a propeller operating shaft 12. The rear end of the shaft 12 pro jects a suitable distance beyond the shaft supporting tube 6 and has fixed thereon a suitable propeller. 13. i

Secured to the shaft supporting tube 6 by float 15 which may be of any suitable conpreferabiy in the form of a hollow body of elliptical shape. in cross section and having its forward end tapered to a point as shown.

Secured to'the lower side of the tubular shaft supporting member Ti and extending rearwardly therefrom is a lower rudder supporting bracket 16, while to the rear portion of the float 15' is secured a right angularly formed upper rudder supporting bracket 17. Revolubly mounted in. the brackets 16 and 17 is a vertically disposed rudder shaft 18 on which between said brackets and projecting a suitable distance in the rear of the same isa rudder blade 19. ixedly mounted .on the upper end of the rudder shaft 18 is a cross head or tiller liar 20 to the ends otwhich are connected the rear end of a tiller or rudder operating cord 21v which extends forwardly through suitable guides 22 on the brackets 14 and 1 of the float if: and through guide eyes on the upper edges of the forward end of the tloat 1 and across said forward end of the lioat as shown in Fig. .2 of the drawings. Secured lo the portion of the cord ll which crosses the lloat 2 is a handle or grip .24 by means of which either cud .ot the cord may be pulled to turn the rudder in the dcsirel direction as will be readily understood.

in the operation of the apparatus the swimmer lies in the recess .2 of-the float l in the manner described, with the feet eu gaging the pedals ol' the cranlv' shaft (j' whereupon when said shaft is operated by the movement of the pedals the movcmeans of the clamping bracket 14 is a rear struction but which is here shown and is body supporting ment of the shaft is transmitted'to the propeller shaft and propeller through the gears 9 and 10 as described. The propeller when thus operated will drive the apparatus and the swimmer along much faster than the swimmer could propel himself in the ordinary manner of swimming and with a much less effort.

My improved swimming apparatus may be used not only as a pleasure device in swimming and bathing, but may also-be employed as a life saving apparatus for rapidly reaching and rescuing persons in danger of drowning. I

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A swimming apparatus comprising a fl0at,-a bifurcated frame attaching member secured to the rear end of said float, a gear frame and shaft bearsaid ends of said tiller bar, and extendin shaft, a hollow float securedto said frame and bearing member and spaced a suitable distance above the same, a lower rudder supporting bracket and an upper rudder supporting bracket secured respectively to bearing and frame member and to said float, a rudder shaft revolubly mounted in said brackets, a rudder fixed on said shaft, a tiller bar fixed on the upper end of said rudder shaft, a tiller cord connected tofthe orwardly and across the forward end of said body supporting float, and a handle secured tosaid cord whereby the same may be operated to turn the rudder in the desired direction for steering the apparatus.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in witnesses.

IRA SCOTT.

Witnesses;

L. C. Moons; A. J. WHIsnyaEMAN.

presence of two subscribing 

